Method and machine for the production of closure elements for slide fasteners



Oct. 15, 1963 K. STREI'CHER 3,106,749

METHOD AND MACHINE FOR THE PRODUCTION OF CLOSURE ELEMENTS FOR SLIDEFASTENERS Original Filed Feb. 19, 1959 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Tia. l.

INVENTOR. Kuer STEE/CHEA ATTO/QA/EV K. STREICHER 3,106,749 METHOD ANDMACHINE FOR THE PRODUCTION OF CLOSURE ELEMENTS FOR SLIDE FASTENERS 19,1959 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Oct. 15, 1963 Original Filed Feb.

INVENTOR. fiver JTfif/CHE? Q W ATTOEA/EP' Oct. 15, 1963 K. STREICHER 0,74

METHOD AND MACHINE THE PRODUCTION OF CLOSURE ELEMENTS F SLIDE FASTENERSOriginal Filed Feb. 19, 1959 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 4 7' TOE/11E V Oct. 15,1963 K. STREICHER 3,106,749 7 METHOD AND MACH]??? THE PRODUCTION OFCLOSURE ELEME SLIDE FASTENERS Original Filed Feb. 19, 1959 6Sheets-Sheet4 r5 2% 03 I I INVENTOR. K027 JfEflCb ER Arron/Er Oct. 15, 1963 OriginalFiled Feb.

K. STREICHER METHOD AND MACHINE FOR THE PRODUCTION OF CLOSURE ELEMENTSFOR SLIDE FASTENERS 19, 1959 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 c o (/92) ///7 7777777 o(/94) 552:: e mm 00/ 7 FiqyB. 4A.

INVENTOR.

A wv 57/95/095 A TORNEYS.

Oct. 15, 1963 K. STREICHER 3,106,749

METHOD AND MACHINE FOR THE PRODUCTION OF CLOSURE ELEMENTS FOR SLIDEFASTENERS Original Filed Feb. 19, 1959 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 I N VEN TOR. X027 JTEE/CHEK BYQGETW 3,106,749 Patented et. 15, 1963 METHOD AND MAtIHIllE FOR THE PRGDUCTHEN F CLQSURE ELEMENT? FOR SLIDE FASTENERS KurtStretcher, Ecirterdingen, near Stuttgart, Germany,

assignor to Talon inc, Meadviile, Pa. m'iginal application Feb. 19,1959, Ser. No. 794,285, now Patent No. 3,054,149, dated Sept. 18, 1962..Divided and this appiieation Aug. 2, 1960, Ser. No. 50,817

18 Claims. ((11. 18-19) The present invention relates to a machine forthe production of closureelements for slide fasteners, and moreparticularly for the production of connected closure elements formedfrom a deformable elongated member preferably from plastic wire.

This application is a division of my co-pending application, Serial No.794,285, filed February 19, 1959, which issued into Patent No.3,054,149, September 18, 1962.

It is an object of the present invention to provide for a machine forforming an elastically deformable wire, preferably from plastic,especially a super-polyamid, e.g. nylon or perlon, into a plurality ofconnected closure elements for slide fasteners, which in a subsequentoperation may be connected to the tape of the slide fastener by sewing,weaving, welding or cementing to thus form a slide fastener stringer ofdesired length.

It is an additional object of the present invention to provide for amachine for forming connected closure elements for slide fasteners whichcomprises relatively few and simple parts so that the machine willoperate troublefree during long time.

The machine for making such connected closure elements for slidefasteners preferably includes a forming wheel mounted on a supportturnable about an axis and having at the periphery thereof'two rows ofradially projecting teeth, which rows of teeth being spaced from eachother in axial direction, and the forming Wheel being formed between therows of teeth with an annular groove. The machine includes furtherwinding means for winding the wire continuously from the outer face ofone tooth in one row, across the space between the rows of teeth andaround the outer face of the following tooth in the other row and backagain across the space around the outer face of the next tooth to bendthe Wire into a meander-shaped configuration, and forming means forpressing the portions of the wire extending across the space between therows of teeth into the groove between the teeth to form these portionsrespectively into U- shaped profiles extending in substantial radialdirection of the forming wheel. The Winding means are preferably in theform of a slider mounted adjacent the periphery of the forming Wheelreciprocating in direction of the axis of the forming wheel. The formingmeans are preferably in the form of a forming disc mounted on thesupport turnable about an axis substantially parallel to the axis of theforming Wheel and having a peripheral portion projecting into the grooveof the forming wheel. The machine may also include punch means arrangedbehind the forming disc in direction of rotation of the forming wheeland reciprocating in radial direction of the latter between a retractedinactive position and an active position in which the free end of thepunch means extends into the groove of the forming wheel and cooperateswith cavities formed therein to deform the central portion of theU-shaped profiles into coupling elements for the slide fastener.

The machine may also include heating means carried by the forming wheeladjacent the groove formed therein for heating the formed wire to atemperature at about 266 de rees F. sutficien't to assure a permanentdeformation of the plastic wire, and cooling means for blowing a coolingmedium on the heated wire just before it is stripped from the formingwheel.

The machine of the present invention includes further preferably specialwire feeding means which will ensure that the wire is uniformly fed tothe machine and with substantially uniform tension. 7 Such wire feedingmeans preferably include at least one frusto-conical feed roll, meansfor holding the wire in frictional engagement with the conical surfaceof the feed roll, means for guiding the wire in direction transverse tothe axis of the feed roll and for shifting the portion of the wireengaging the feed roll in axial direction towards the larger diameter ofthe feed roll when the tension on the portion of the wire leaving theroll increases and for shifting the engaged wire portion in oppositedirection when the tension of the wire leaving the roll decreases.

The movable elements of the machine are preferably driven from a mainshaft which is connected to the movable elements by connecting means formoving the latter. The forming wheel is preferably intermittently turnedthrough angles substantially equal to half the pitch between the teethin one row of said row of teeth and the winding means are reciprocatedin timed relation to the intermittent motion of the forming wheel.Preferably the winding means is reciprocated while the forming wheel isat a standstill and during the intermittent motion of the forming wheel,the winding means is held stationary.

A brake, acting on the periphery of the forming wheel, is preferablyprovided, to prevent overriding of the forming wheel during theintermittent motion.

It is, however, also possible to drive the forming wheel with uniformcircumferential speed and in this case the slider is preferably not onlyreciprocated in direction of the axis of the forming wheel, but also ina direction normal thereto.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for theinvention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. Theinvention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method ofoperation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, willbe best understood from the following description of specificembodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a front view of the machine of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of this machine;

FIG. 3 is a partial perspective View of the punch means of the machine;

FIG. 4 is a partially sectioned side View of some of the members shownin FIG. 2, drawn to an enlarged scale;

FIG. 4A is a fragmentary view of a portion of the periphery of theforming wheel showing the initial step of positioning and forming thefilament or Wire thereon;

FIG. 4B is a fragmentary View of a portion of the periphery of theforming Wheel showing the second step of forming the filament or Wirethereon;

FIG. 5 is a cross section taken through the peripheral portion of theforming wheel shown in FIGS. 2 and 4;

FIG. 6 is a partial cross section through the forming disc cooperatingwith the forming wheel;

FIG. 7 is a schematic view illustrating the cams for moving variouselements of the machine in developed form and indicating the posit-ionof these elements on these cams at a given movement of the machineoperation;

FIG. 8 is a side view of the wire feeding means of the present machine,partially in section;

FIG. 9 is a top view of this wire feeding means; and

FIG. 10 is a front view of this wire feedingmeans.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1, 2, 4and 5 of the same, it will be seen that the machine of the presentinvention comprises a supporting frame 1 on which a forming wheel 6 ismounted turnable about its axis. Forming wheel 6 is provided on theperiphery thereof with two rows of teeth 61, 61' preferably integrallyformed with the forming wheel. The rows of teeth 61, 61' being spacedfrom each other in axial direction and an annular groove 62 extendinginwardly from the periphery of the forming wheel is formed between thetwo rows of teeth. The teeth in each row of teeth are spaced equallyfrom each other in circumferential direction and the teeth of one roware olfset in relation to the teeth in the other row in circumferentialdirection. The forming wheel 6 is preferably formed from twosubstantially identical halves connected to each other along abuttingside faces thereof in any known manner such, as for instance by weldingor bolting. Each of the side faces being formed inwardly of the groove62 with an annular indentation forming together an annular channel 66.Projecting from opposite side faces of the groove 62 and extending inradial direction therealong are a plurality of spaced projections orribs 65 to form on these side faces a plurality of spaced indentationsor grooves 63 for the purpose as will later be described in detail.

The wire 201, preferably made from plastic, which is to be formed in themachine is taken from a spool 2 and transported by means of feed rollers30 and 31 through an ear 4 to the winding means 5. The winding means 5are preferably in the form of a slider which is intermittentlyreciprocated in direction of the axis of the forming wheel 6 so that thewire 201 fed through a bore 52 in the slider 5, as shown in FIG. 4, iswound during reciprocation of the slider 5 and during turning of theforming wheel 6 from the outer face of one tooth in one row of teethacross the space between the rows of teeth and around the outer face ofthe following tooth in the other row of teeth and back again across thespace around the outer face of the next tooth in the first row of teethso that the wire is bent into a meander-shaped configuration. The slideris guided during its reciprocation in the machine frame 1 and driven bya cam 51 as will be described later on in detail. Cooperating with theslider 5 is a pusher member 7 which is reciprocated in a directiontransverse to the axis of the forming wheel 6 by means of a lever 73',pivotally mounted at the end 71 on the machine frame and engaged at theother end thereof by a cam or eccentric 72, which in turn is driven aswill be explained later on in detail. The pusher member 7 serves to pushthe wire 201 into the space between the teeth 61, 61. A stationarymember 8 fixedly mounted on the frame serves to guide the pusher member7 during its reciprocation and at the same time the member 8 maintainsthe Wire 201 Wound about the teeth. The thus formed wire loops are thenlifted from the teeth 61, 61' in axial direction by a pair of stationarywedge-shaped members or lifting means 80 which are respectively fixedlymounted on the machine frame and arranged on opposite sides of theperiphery of the forming Wheel 6, as best shown in FIG. 4, in which onlyone of the members 80 is illustrated.

A forming disc 9 turnably mounted on the frame 1 for rotation about anaxis parallel to the axis of the forming wheel 6, and in a directionopposite to the direction this forming wheel rotates, engages thetransverse portions 202 of the bent wire to press these transverseportions in the annular groove 62 formed between the rows of teeth inthe forming wheel 6, so that the portions 202 are formed intosubstantial U-shaped configuration, whereby the legs of the U-profilesbecome respectively located in the radial directed indentations 63formed between the projections 65 in the groove 62.

Following the forming disc 9 in direction of rotation of the formingwheel 6 are punch means 211, which are mounted on the frame 1 forreciprocation in radial direction of the forming wheel 6 between aretracted inactive position and an active position in which the end face212 4 of the punch 211 engages portions 204 of the formed wire whichextend across the bottom of the groove 62 to flatten these portions andto form these portions into coupling elements 205. To give the couplingelements 205 a desired shape the bottom face of the groove 62 may beprovided with small cavities into which the wire portions 204 are thenpressed by the bottom face 212 of the punch. To limit the inwardmovement of the punch 211, the punch is provided adjacent the bottom endthereof with shoulders 213 projecting laterally from the punch whichwill abut at the innermost position of the punch against shoulders 64projecting inwardly from the ribs or projections 65 in the groove 62.The punch 211 has further shoulders 214, as best shown in FIG. 3, whichwill act at the innermost position of the punch against the bentportions 206 of the wire resting on the top face of the projections 65,to produce in this way an equalization and setting of the bent wireportions 206.

In order to equalize any irregularities, for instance in the length ofthe legs 203 of the bent wire, and to remove any fins on the bentportion 206 of the wire, which may occur during the lifting of the bentwire from the teeth 61, 61, an additional forming disc 11 is providedwhich is mounted for rotation about an axis parallel to the axis of theforming wheel 6 adjacent the punch means 211 and following this punchmeans in direction of rotation of the forming wheel. The additionalforming disc 11 has a cross section as best shown in FIG. 6 and theannular rim 111 of this disc of substantially rectangular cross sectionengages in the annular groove 62 of the forming wheel 6. The twosemi-circular grooves 112 located laterally of the rim portion 111 willengage the bent portion 206 of the wire and equalize any existingdifference in the length of the legs 203. The two outer rim portions 113of the forming disc 11, on the other hand, serve to remove any finsextending outwardly from the bent portions 206 or to press such finsonto these portions.

Located in contact with the outer periphery of the forming wheel 6 andopposite from the slider 5 is a thermometer means 12 which isoperatively connected in any known way to a thermostat 13, which in turncontrols the current supply to a heating spiral 66 located in theannular channel 66' formed in the forming wheel 6 so as to heat theforming wheel 6 to a desired temperature. The heating spiral 66 isconnected to a source of electric energy in any known, not illustratedmanner, for instance over a pair of brushes and collector rings so thatthe forming wheel 6 may be rotated while current is supplied to theheating spiral 66.

There is located at the bottom of the forming wheel 6 below the thermomeans 12, preferably a friction shoe brake 14 which contacts the outerperiphery of the forming wheel so as to prevent over riding thereofduring the intermittent movement of this wheel.

Nozzle means 15 are provided for blowing a cooling medium, for instancecold air, against the finished formed wire shortly before it is strippedfrom the forming wheel 6. A wedge-shaped stripper 16 fixedly mounted onframe 1, best shown in FIG. 4, engages the finished formed wire at theinnermost portions thereof to strip the finished formed wire from theforming wheel 6 and the formed wire enters then in a chute 17 mounted onthe frame 1.

The drive of the machine elements is derived from a motor 18 whichdrives over a belt driv 181 the main shaft 182 of the machine, fromwhich over a pair of gears 183 the feed roll 30 of the wire feed meansare driven. A belt drive may also be used for driving the feed roll 30,in which case a pulley 133 (FIG. 9) is mounted on the shaft of roll 30,which is driven over a belt from the main shaft 182.

The wire feed means, which regulate the feeding of the wire 201 from thespool 2 to the slider 5, include the driven feed roll 30 and anadditional feed roll 31 which is spring-loaded, as best shown in FIG. 9,to press the wire 201 into frictional engagement with the surface of thedriven feed roll 3d. The two feed rolls may have at one end thereofengaging gears so that the feed roll 31 is driven by the feed roll 30.The two feed rolls 30 and 31 have, as best shown in FIG. 9, afrusto-conical configuration. The wir feeding means include further wireguiding and shifting means including an elongated lever 32 extending ina direction transverse to the axis of the feed roll 30 and being mountedintermediate the ends thereof tiltable about an axis 33. The lever 32has at opposite ends 34 and 35 thereof annular portions or eyes throughwhich the wire 201 is guided. The upper end 34 of lever 32 is locatedbetween the feed roll 30 and the guide ear 4 fixed on the frame 1,whereas the lower end 35 of the lever extends beyond the side of thefeed roll 30 distant from the ear 4.

The wire guiding and shifting means will operate as follows:

If the feed rolls 3t}, 31 do not feed sufficient wire, the wire portionbetween the ear 4 and the pair of feed rolls will be tensioned so thatthe upper end 34 of the lever 32 will be pulled in direction toward theleft, as viewed in FIG. 10 to the position shown in dash-dotted lines,where-by the lower end 35 of this lever will move the wire portionengaged thereby towards the large diameter of the frusto-conical feedrolls 3t}, 31. The wire feed is thereby increased so that the tension onthe wire will be reduced and the lever 32 will return to its normalposition shown in full lines in FIG. 10 under the influence of thepulling force of a weight 36 connected by a rope 38 guided over a pulley37 to the upper end 34 of the lever 32. If, on the other hand, the feedrolls 3%, 31 feed more wire than is taken up by the rotating formingwheel 9, a slack will develop in the wire portion located between thefeed rolls and the ear 4 and the weight 36 will therefore shift thelever 32 to the position shown in dotted lines in FIG. 10 so that theportion of the wire engaged between the feed rolls 3d and 31 will beshifted towards the small diameter end of the frusto-conical feed rollsend so that the wire feed will be reduced.

The slider is reciprocated by means of a cam 51, engaging two camfollowers located on opposite sides of the cam 51 as shown in FIG. 1.The cam 51 is driven from the main shaft 182 of the machine over a pairof bevel gears 184 Cam 72 is mounted on the same shaft as cam '51 and isalso driven thereby.

The forming discs 9 and 11 are also driven from the main shaft 132,preferably over a chain drive 185 which is guided over appropriate chaingears as best shown in FIG. 2. As shown in FTG. 2, a chain gear ismounted on the shaft 182 which drives the forming disc 11 by means ofthe chain 135 and a chain gear coaxially mounted and fixed to theforming disc 11, whereas the forming disc 9 is preferably driven over achain gear driven by the chain 185 and carrying coaxially a small pinionmeshing with a larger gear fixed coaxially with the axis of the disc 9to this disc.

The reciprocating movement of the punch means 211 is also derived fromthe main shaft 132 'of the machine. For this purpose a cam 101 is fixedto the shaft 182 for rotation therewith and the peripheral cam face ofthe cam 101 is engaged by a cam follower roller 102; carried adjacentone end of a lever 1&3 mounted on the other end thereof on a shaft 104for tilting movement about the shaft axis. Connected to the shaft 104 isa lever 5 for tilting movement therewith, extending inclined to thelever 103 as best shown in FIG. 2. The free end of the lever 105 engagesin an opening formed adjacent the upper end of the punch 211 and theengaging faces of the punch 211 are preferably curved as shown in FIGSpZand 7. The punch 211 is guided adjacent the lower end thereof in anappropriate member of th frame 1 for reciprocating motion. The distanceof the roller 102 from the lower end of the lever 103 in transversedirection of this lever may be adjusted by an adjusting screw 1% screwedin a sleeve formed at the lower end of the lever v103. By adjusting thedistance of the roller 102 from the lower end of th lever 103 the strokeof the punch may be slightly adjusted. The lever 103 is under theinfluence of a compression spring 107 which presses the roller 102against the periphery of the cam 191.

The forming wheel 6 is preferably intermittently turned and for thispurpose a ratchet gear 19 is coaxially arranged with the forming wheel 6and fixedly connected thereto. Engaging the teeth of the ratchet wheelare two feed dogs 191, 1% which in turn are controlled by two cams 193and 194 fixedly mounted on the main shaft 182 of the machine forrotation therewith. The teeth of the ratchet wheel 19 are preferablyspaced from each other a pitch equal to the pitch of the teeth of onerow of the teeth on the forming wheel so as to make the teeth of theratchet wheel as strong as possible and the dogs 191, 192 arereciprocated by the cams 193 and in such a way that the ratchet wheel ismoved during reciprocation of each dog for half a pitch.

FIG. 7 shows schematically the various cams of the ma chines indeveloped form in connection with the element controlled by therespective cam. The line a corresponds to the cam 5 1 which controls theslider 5 with the guide opening 52'. Line b corresponds to the cam 72which controsl the movement of the pusher member '73. The two lines 0and :2 correspond to the cams 1'93 and 194 which operate the dogs 191and '192, respectively, and finally the line e corresponds to the cam101, which controls the movement of the lever arrangement for operatingthe punch 211.

The position of the cam followers of the various elements indicated inFIG. 7 corresponds to a position of the machine in which the slider 5 isin one of its end positions, in which the pusher member 7 has pushed thewire in the space between two teeth on the forming wheel 6, in which thedog 191 is moved to perform the turning of the ratchet wheel 19 andtherewith the forming wheel connecting thereto, whereas the other dog192 is in rest position, and the punch 21-1 will be held in itsretracted inactive position. From the schematic showing of the developedcarn surface of the various cams fixedly mounted on the main shaft 182of the machine, it will be evident that the reciprocating members of themachine will be moved in proper timed relationship to the intermittentmotion of the forming wheel 6.

If the machine is built for the formation of stronger closure elementswhich are spaced further apart than shown in the figures of the drawing,it is possible to provide only a single feed dog for the intermittentrotation of the ratchet wheel 19 since the pitch of the teeththereof canin this case be sufiiciently great to make the teeth strong enough toprevent breaking or premature wear of the same.

in this case a single cam is provided instead of the two cams 1% and194- and the development of the periphery of this cam would be similarto the developments 0 and d arranged in succession.

t will be understood that each of the elements described above, or twoor more together, may also find a useful application in other types ofmachines for making connected closure elements for slide fasteners froma deformable continuous wire differing from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in amachine for making connected closure elements for slide fasteners from adeformable continuous wire in which this wire is bent into ameander-shaped configiu'ation, it is not intended to be limited to thedetails shown, since various modifications and structural changes may bemade without departing in any way from the spirit of the presentinvention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist ofthe present invention that others can by applying current knowledgereadily adapt it for various 7 applications Without omitting featuresthat, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essentialcharacteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this inventionand, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to becomprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of thefollowing claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A machine for making connected closure elements for slide fastenersfrom a deformable continuous wire comprising, in combination, a support,a forming wheel mounted on said support turnable about an axis andhaving at the periphery thereof two rows of radially projecting teeth,said rows of teeth being spaced from each other in axial direction andsaid forming wheel being recessed radially at the periphery to form anannular groove, said groove being positioned between said rows of teethand extending around the circumference of said forming wheel, windingmeans for winding the wire continuously from the outer face of one toothin one of said rows of teeth, across the space between the rows of teethand around the outer face of the following tooth in the other row ofteeth and back again across said space around the outer face of the nexttooth to bend the wire into a meander-shaped configuration, and meansextending into said groove for forcing the portions of the wireextending across the space between the rows of teeth into said groove soas to deform the same whereby said portions are formed respectively intoU-shaped profiles extending in substantial radial direction of saidforming wheel.

2. A machine for making connected closure elements for slide fastenersfrom a deformable continuous wire comprising, in combination, a support,a forming wheel mounted on said support turnable about an axis andhaving at the periphery thereof two rows of radially projecting teeth,said rows of teeth being spaced from each other in axial direction andsaid forming wheel being recessed radially at the periphery to form anannular groove, said groove being positioned between said rows of teethand extending around the circumference of said forming wheel, the teethin each row of teeth being equally spaced from each other incircumferential direction and offset in this direction relative to theteeth in the other row, winding means for winding the wire continuouslyfrom the outer face of one tooth in one of said rows of teeth, acrossthe space between the rows of teeth and around the outer face of thefollowing tooth in the other row of teeth and back again across saidspace around the outer face of the next tooth to bend the wire into ameander-shaped configuration, and means extending into said groove forforcing the portions of the wire extending across the space between therows of teeth into said groove so as to deform the same whereby saidportions are formed respectively into U-shaped profiles extending insubstantial radial direction of said forming wheel.

3. A machine for making connected closure elements for slide fastenersfrom a deformable continuous wire comprising, in combination, a support,a forming wheel mounted on said support turnable about an axis andhaving at the periphery thereof two rows of radially projecting teeth,said rows of teeth being spaced from each other in axial direction andsaid forming wheel being formed between said rows of teeth with anannular groove, the teeth in each row of teeth being equally spaced fromeach other in circumferential direction and offset in this directionrelative to the teeth in the other row, winding means mounted on saidsupport adjacent the periphery of said forming wheel for reciprocationin direction of the axis of said forming wheel for winding the wirecontinuously from the outer face of one tooth in one of said rows ofteeth, across the space between the rows of teeth and around the outerface of the following tooth in the other row of teeth and back againacross said space around the outer face of the next tooth to bend thewire into a meander-shaped configuration, a forming disc mounted on saidsupport turnable about an axis substantially parallel to the axis ofsaid forming wheel and having a pcripheral portion projecting into saidgroove for pressing the portions of the wire extending across the spacebetween the rows of teeth into said groove to form said portionsrespectively into U-shaped profiles extending in substantial radialdirection of said forming wheel, and drive means for turning saidforming wheel and said form ing disc respectively in opposite directionsand for reciprocating said winding means.

4. A machine for making connected closure elements for slide fastenersfrom a deformable continuous wire comprising, in combination, a support,a forming wheel mounted on said support turnable about an axis andhaving at the periphery thereof two rows of radially projecting teeth,said rows of teeth being space from each other in axial direction andsaid forming wheel being formed between said rows of teeth with anannular groove, the teeth in each row of teeth being equally spaced fromeach other in circumferential direction and offset in this directionrelative to the teeth in the other row, winding means mounted on saidsupport adjacent the periphery of said forming wheel for reciprocationin direction of the axis of said forming wheel for winding the wirecontinuously from the outer face of one tooth in one of said rows ofteeth, across the space between the rows of teeth and around the outerface of the following tooth in the other row of teeth and back againacross said space around the outer face of the next tooth to bend thewire into a meander-shaped configuration, a forming disc mounted on saidsupport turnable about an axis substantially parallel to the axis ofsaid forming wheel and having a peripheral portion projecting into saidgroove for pressing the portions of the wire extending across the spacebetween the rows of teeth into said groove to form said portionsrespectively into U-shaped profiles extending in substantial radialdirection of said forming wheel, lifting means arranged between saidwinding means and said forming disc for lifting the bent wire in radialdirection off said teeth, and drive means for turning said forming wheeland said forming disc respectively in opposite directions and forreciprocating said winding means.

5. A machine for making connected closure elements for slide fastenersfrom a deformable continuous wire comprising, in combination, a support,a forming wheel mounted on said support turnable about an axis andhaving at the periphery thereof two rows of radially projecting teeth,said rows of teeth being spaced from each other in axial direction andsaid forming wheel being formed between said rows of teeth with anannular groove, said groove being formed at the bottom surface thereofwith spaced cavities, the teeth in each row of teeth being equallyspaced from each other in circumferential direction and offset in thisdirection relative to the teeth in the other row, winding means mountedon said support adjacent the periphery of said forming wheel forreciprocation in direction of the axis of said forming wheel for windingthe wire continuously from the outer face of one tooth in one of saidrows of teeth, across the space between the rows of teeth and around theouter face of the following tooth in the other row of teeth and backagain across said space around the outer face of the next tooth to bendthe wire into a meander-shaped configuration, a forming disc mounted onsaid support turnable about an axis substantially parallel to the axisof said forming wheel and having a peripheral portion projecting intosaid groove for pressing the portions of the wire extending across thespace between the rows of teeth into said groove to form said portionsrespectively into U-shaped profiles extending in substantial radialdirection of said forming wheel, lifting means arranged between saidwinding means and said forming disc for lifting the bent wire in radialdirection off said teeth, punch means mounted on said support behindsaid forming disc in direction of rotation of said forming wheel forreciprocation in radial direction of the 9. latter between a retracted,inactive position and an active position in which the free end thereofextends into said groove and cooperates with the cavities therein todeform the central portion of the U-shaped profiles into couplingelements of the slide fastener, and drive means for turning said formingwheel and said forming disc respectively in opposite directions and forreciprocating said winding means and said punch means.

6. A machine for making connected closure elements for slide fastenersfrom a deformable continuous wire comprising, in combination, a support,a forming wheel mounted on said support turnable about an axis andhaving at the periphery there-of two rows of radially projecting teeth,said rows of teeth being spaced from each other in axial direction andsaid forming wheel being formed between said rows of teeth with anannular groove, said groove being formed at the bottom surface thereofWith spaced cavities, the teeth in each row of teeth being equallyspaced from each other in circumferential direction and offset in thisdirection relative to the teeth in the other row, winding means mountedon said support adjacent the periphery of said forming wheel forreciprocation in direction of the axis of said forming wheel for Windingthe wire continuously from the outer face of one tooth in one of saidrows of teeth, across the space between the rows of teeth and around theouter face of the following tooth in the other row of teeth and backagain across said space around the outer face of the next tooth to bendthe wire into a meander-shaped con-figuration, a forming disc mounted onsaid support turnable about an axis substantially parallel to the axisof ,said form wheel and having a peripheral portion projecting into saidgroove for pressing the portions of the wire extending across the spacebetween the rows of teeth into said groove to form said portionsrespectively into U- shaped profiles extending in substantial radialdirection of said forming wheel, lifting means arranged between saidwinding means and said forming disc for lifting the bent wire in radialdirection off said teeth, punch means mounted on said support behindsaid forming disc in direction of rotation of said forming wheel forrecipro cation in radial direction of the latter between a retracted,inactive position and an active position in which the free end thereofextends into said groove and cooperates with the cavities therein todeform the central portion of the U-shaped profiles into couplingelements of the slide fastener, a second forming disc mounted on saidsupport behind said punch means indirection of rotation of said formingwhee-l turnable about an axis substantially parallel to the axis of thelatter, said second forming disc having a peripheral portion extendinginto said groove and said forming disc having at the periphery thereof aprofile matching in cross section in a plane through its axissubstantially the profile of said bent wire portions, and drive meansfor turning said forming wheel and forming discs and for reciprocatingsaid winding means and said punch means.

7. A machine for making connected closure elements for slide fastenersfrom a deformable continuous wire comprising, in combination, a support,a forming wheel mounted on said support turnable about an axis andhaving at the periphery thereof two rows of radially projectin teeth,said rows of teeth being spaced from each other in axial direction andsaid forming wheel being formed between said rows of teeth with anannular groove, said groove being formed at the bottom surface thereofwith spaced cavities, the teeth in each row of teeth being equallyspaced from each other in circumferential direction and offset in thisdirection relative to the teeth in the other row, winding means mountedon said support adjacent the periphery of said forming wheel forreciprocation in direction of the axis of said for-m wheel for windingthe wire continuously from the outer face of one tooth in one of saidrows of teeth, across the space between the rows of teeth and around theouter I lb face of the following tooth in the other row of teeth andback again across said space around the outer face of the next tooth tobend the wire into a meander-shaped configuration, a forming discmounted on said support turnable about an axis substantially parallel tothe axis of said forming wheel and having a peripheral portionprojecting into said groove for pressing the portions of the wireextending across the space between the rows of teeth into said groove toform said portions respectively into U-shaped profiles extending insubstantial radial direction of said forming wheel, lifting meansarranged between said winding means and said forming disc for liftingthe bent wire in radial direction off said teeth, punch means mounted onsaid support behind said forming disc in direction of rotation of saidforming wheel for reciprocation in radial direction of the latterbetween a retracted, inactive position and an active position in whichthe free end thereof extends into said groove and cooperates with thecavities therein to deform the central portion of the U-shaped profilesinto coupling elements of the slide fastener, a second forming discmounted on said support behind said punch means in direction of rotationof said forming wheel turnable about an axis substantially parallel tothe axis of the latter, said second forming disc having a peripheralportion extending into said groove and said forming disc having at theperiphery thereof a profile matching in cross section in a plane throughits axis substantially the profile of said bent wire portions, strippingmeans for stripping the finished formed wire out of said groove, anddrive means for turning said forming wheel and said forming discs andfor reciprocating said winding means and said punch means.

8. A machine for making connected closure elements for slide fastenersfrom a deformable continuous wire comprising, in combination, a support,a forming wheel mounted on said support turnable about an axis andhaving at the periphery thereof two rows of radially projecting teeth,said rows of teeth being spaced from each other in axial direction andsaid forming wheel being formed between said rows of teeth wi h anannular groove, said groove being formed at the bottom surface thereofwith spaced cavities, the teeth in each row of teeth being equallyspaced from each other in circumferential direction and offset in thisdirection relative to the teeth in the other row, winding means mountedon said support adjacent the periphery of said forming wheel forreciprocation in direction of the axis of said forming wheel for windingthe wire continuously from the outer face of one tooth in one of saidrows of teeth, across the space between the rows of teeth and around theouter face of the following tooth in the other row of teeth and backagain across said space around the outer face of the next tooth to bendthe wire into a meander-shaped configuration, a forming disc mounted onsaid support turnable about an axis substantially parallel to the axisof said forming wheel and having a peripheral portion project ing intosaid groove for pressing the portions of the wire extending across thespace between the rows of teeth into said groove to form said portionsrespectively into U-shaped profiles extending in substantial radialdirection of said forming wheel, a plurality of spaced projectionsextending in radial direction along opposite side faces of said grooveand projecting therefrom partly into said groove to form on said sidefaces a plurality of spaced indentations adapted to receive the legs ofthe U-shaped profiles, respectively; lifting means arranged between saidwinding means and said forming disc for lifting the bent wire in radialdirection off said teeth, punch means mounted on said support behindsaid forming disc in direction of rotation of said forming wheel forreciprocation in radial direction of the latter between a retracted,inactive position and an active position in which the free end thereofextends into said groove and cooperates with the cavities therein todeform the central portion of the U-shaped profiles into couplingelements of the slide fastener, a second forming disc mounted on saidsupport behind said punch means in direction of rotation of said formingwheel turnable about an axis substantially parallel to the axis of thelatter, said second forming disc having a peripheral portion extendinginto said groove and said forming disc having at the periphery thereof aprofile matching in cross section in a plane through its axissubstantially the profile of said bent wire portions; stripping meansfor stripping the finished formed wire out of said groove, and drivemeans for turning said forming wheel and said forming discs and forreciprocating said winding means and said punch means.

9. A machine for making connected closure elements for slide fastenersfrom a deformable continuous wire comprising, in combination, a support,a forming wheel mounted on said support turnable about an axis andhaving at the periphery thereof two rows of radially projecting teeth,said rows of teeth being spaced from each other in axial direction andsaid forming wheel being formed between said rows of teeth with anannular groove, said groove being formed at the bottom surface thereofwith spaced cavities, the teeth in each row of teeth being equallyspaced from each other in circumferential direction and offset in thisdirection relative to the teeth in the other row, winding means mountedon said support adjacent the periphery of said forming wheel forreciprocation in direction of the axis of said forming wheel for windingthe wire continuously from the outer face of one tooth in one of saidrows of teeth, across the space between the rows of teeth and around theouter face of the following tooth in the other row of teeth and backagain across said space around the outer face of the next tooth to bendthe wire into a meander-shaped configuration, a forming disc mounted onsaid support turnable about an axis substantially parallel to the axisof said forming wheel and having a peripheral portion projecting intosaid groove for pressing the portions of the wire extending across thespace between the rows of teeth into said groove to form said portionsrespectively into U-shaped profiles extending in substantial radialdirection of said forming wheel, a plurality of spaced projectionsextending in radial direction along opposite side faces of said grooveand projecting therefrom partly into said groove to form on said sidefaces a plurality of spaced indentations adapted to receive the legs ofthe U-shaped profiles, respectively; lifting means arranged between saidwinding means and said form disc for lifting the bent wire in radialdirection off said teeth, punch means mounted on said support behindsaid forming disc in direction of rotation of said forming wheel forreciprocation in radial direction of the latter between a retracted,inactive position and an active position in which the free end thereofextends into said groove and cooperates with the cavities therein todeform the central portion of the U-shaped profiles into couplingelements of the slide fastener, a second forming disc mounted on saidsupport behind said punch means in direction of rotation of said formingwheel turnable about an axis substantially parallel to the axis of thelatter, said second forming disc having a peripheral portion extendinginto said groove and said forming disc having at the periphery thereof aprofile matching in cross section in a plane through its axis substantially the profile of said bent wire portions, said punch means andsaid second forming disc having respectively engaging faces extendingover the circumferential front faces of said projections and cooperatingwith the same for setting the bent wire portions by deforming the wirecross section, stripping means for stripping the finished formed wireout of said groove, and drive means for turning said forming wheel andsaid forming discs and for reciprocating said 10. A machine for makingconnected closure elements for slide fasteners from a deformablecontinuous wire winding means and said punch means. 7

comprising, in combination, a support, a forming wheel mounted on saidsupport turnable about an axis and having at the periphery thereof tworows of radially projecting teeth, said rows of teeth being spaced fromeach other in axial direction and said forming wheel being recessedradially at the periphery to form an annular groove, said groove beingpositioned between said rows of teeth and extending around thecircumference of said forming wheel, heating means located in saidforming wheel adjacent said groove formed therein; winding means forwinding the wire continuously from the outer face of one tooth in one ofsaid rows of teeth, across the space between the rows of teeth andaround the outer face of the following tooth in the other row of teethand back again across said space around the outer face of the next toothto bend the wire into a meandershaped configuration, and means extendinginto said groove for forcing the portions of the wire extending acrossthe space between the rows of teeth into said groove so as to deform thesame whereby said portions are formed respectively into U-shapedprofiles extending in substantial radial direction of said formingwheel.

11. A machine for making connected closure elements for slide fastenersfrom a deformable continuous wire comprising, in combination, a support,a forming wheel mounted on said support turnable about an axis andhaving at the periphery thereof two rows of radially projecting teeth,said rows of teeth being spaced from each other in axial direction andsaid forming wheel being recessed radially at the periphery to form anannular groove, said groove being positioned between said rows of teethand extending around the circumference of said forming wheel, saidforming wheel being formed from two substantially identical discsconnected to each other along abutting side faces thereof, each of saidside faces being formed inwardly of said groove with an annularindentation forming together an annular channel, heating means in formof a heating spiral located in said annular channel, winding means forwinding the wire continuously from the outer face of one tooth in one ofsaid rows of teeth, across the space between the rows of teeth andaround the outer face of the following tooth in the other row of teethand back again across said space around the outer face of the next toothto bend the wire into a meander-shaped configuration, and meansextending into said groove for forcing the portions of the wireextending across the space between the rows of teeth into said groove soas to deform the same whereby said portions are formed respectively intoU- shaped profiles extending in substantial radial direction of saidforming wheel.

12. A machine for making connected closure elements for slide fastenersfrom a deformable continuous wire comprising, in combination, a support,a forming wheel mounted on said support turnable about an axis andhaving at the periphery thereof two rows of radially projecting teeth,said rows of teeth being spaced from each other in axial direction andsaid forming wheel being formed between said rows of teeth with anannular groove, said groove being formed at the bottom surface thereofwith spaced cavities, the teeth in each row of teeth being equallyspaced from each other in circumferential direction and offset in thisdirection relative to the teeth in the other row, winding means mountedon said support adjacent the periphery of said forming wheel forreciprocation in direction of the axis of said forming wheel for windingthe wire continuously from the outer face of one tooth in one of saidrows of teeth, across the space between the rows of teeth and around theouter face of the following tooth in the other rows of teeth and backagain across said space around the outer face of the next tooth to bendthe wire into a meander-shaped configuration, a forming disc mounted onsaid support turnable about an axis substantially parallel to the axisof said forming wheel and having a peripheral portion projecting intosaid groove for pressing the portions of the wire extending across thespace between the rows of teeth into said groove to form said portionsrespectively into U-shaped profiles extending in substantial radialdirection of said forming wheel, lifting means arranged between saidwinding means and said forming disc for lifting the bent wire in radialdirection off said teeth, punch means mounted on said support behindsaid forming disc in direction of rotation of said form wheel forreciprocation in radial direction of the latter between a retracted,inactive position and an active position in which the free end thereofextends into said groove and cooperates with the cavities therein todeform the central portion of the U-shaped profiles into couplingelements of the slide fastener, a second form disc mounted on saidsupport behind said punch means in direction of rotation of said formingwheel turnable about an axis substantially parallel to the axis of thelatter, said second forming disc having a peripheral portion extendinginto said groove and said forming disc having at the periphery thereof aprofile matching in cross section in a plane through its axissubstantially the profile of said bent wire portions, stripping mean-sfor stripping the finished formed wire out of said groove, heating meanslocated in said forming wheel adjacent said groove formed therein,nozzle means located before said stripping means and adjacent theperiphery 'of said forming wheel for blowing a cooling medium againstthe finished formed wire, and drive means for turning said forming wheeland said forming discs and for reciprocating said winding means and saidpunch means.

13. A machine for making connected closure elements for slide fastenersfrom a deformable continuous wire comprising, in combination, a support,a forming wheel mounted on said support turnable about an axis andhaving at the periphery thereof two rows of radially projecting teeth,said rows of teeth being spaced from each other in axial direction andsaid forming wheel being formed between said rows of teeth with anannular groove, said groove being formed at the bottom surface thereofwith spaced cavities, the teeth in each row of teeth being equallyspaced from each other in circumferential direction and offset in thisdirection relative to the teeth in the other row, winding means mountedon said support adjacent the periphery of said forming wheel forreciprocation in direction of the axis of said forming wheel for windingthe wire continuously from the outer face of one tooth in one of saidrows of teeth, across the space between the rows of teeth and around theouter face of the following tooth in the other row of teeth and backagain across said space around the outer face of the next tooth to bendthe wire into a meander-shaped configuration, a forming disc mounted onsaid support turnable about an axis substantially parallel to the axisof said forming wheel and having a peripheral portion projecting intosaid groove for pressing the portions of the wire extending across thespace between the rows of teeth into said groove to form said portionsrespectively into U-shaped profiles extending in substantial radialdirection of said forming wheel, lifting means arranged between saidwinding means and said forming disc for lifting the bent wire in radialdirection off said teeth, punch means mounted on said support behindsaid forming disc in direction of rotation of said forming wheel forreciprocation in radial direction of the latter between a retracted,inactive position and an active position in which the free end thereofextends into said groove and cooperates with the cavities therein todeform the central portion of the U-shaped profiles into couplingelements of the slide fastener, and drive means turning said formingwheel, said forming discs and for reciprocating said winding means andsaid punch means and including a main shaft and connecting meansconnecting said main shaft with said forming wheel, said forming discs,said winding means and said punch means for moving the same.

14. A machine for making connected closure elements for slide fastenersfrom a deformable continuous wire comprising, in combination, a support,a forming wheel mounted on said support turnable about an axis and having at the periphery thereof two rows of radially projecting teeth, saidrows of teeth being spaced from each other in axial direction and saidforming wheel being formed between said rows of teeth with an annulargroove, the teeth in each row of teeth being equally spaced from eachother in circumferential direction and offset in this direction relativeto the teeth in the other row, winding means mounted on said supportadjacent the periphery of said forming wheel for reciprocation indirection of the axis of said forming wheel for winding the wirecontinuously from the outer face of one tooth in one of said rows ofteeth, across the space between the rows of teeth and around the outerface of the following tooth in the other row of teeth and back againacross said space around the outer face of the next tooth to bend thewire into a meander-shaped configuration, wire feeding means for feedingthe wire to said winding means and including at least one frusto-conicalfeed roll, means for holding the wire in frictional engagement with theconical surface of said feed roll, and means for guiding the wire indirection transverse to the axis of said feed roll and for shifting theportion of the wire engaging the feed roll in axial direction towardsthe lager diameter of the feed roll when the tension on the portion ofthe wire leaving the roll increases and for shifting the engaged wireportion in opposite direction when the tension on the wire leaving theroll decreases, a forming disc mounted on said support turnable about anaxis substantially parallel to the axis of said forming wheel and havinga peripheral portion projecting into said groove for pressing theportions of the wire extending across the space between the rows ofteeth into said groove to form said portions respectively into U-shapedprofiles extending in substantial radial direction of said formingwheel, and drive means for turning said forming wheel and said formingdisc respectively in opposite directions and for said winding means.

15. A machine for making connected closure elements for slide fastenersfrom a deformable continuous wire comprising, in combination, a support,a forming wheel mounted on said support turnable about an axis andhaving at the periphery thereof two rows of radially projecting teeth,said rows of teeth being spaced from each other in axial direction andsaid forming wheel being formed between said rows of teeth with anannular groove, the teeth in each row of teeth being equally spaced fromeach other in circumferential direction and offset in this directionrelative to the teeth in the other row, winding means mounted on saidsupport adjacent the periphery of said forming wheel for reciprocationin direction of the axis of said forming wheel for winding the wirecontinuously from the outer face of one tooth in one of said rows ofteeth, across the space between the rows of teeth and around the outerface of the following tooth in the other row of teeth and back againacross said space around the outer face of the next tooth to bend thewire into a meander-shaped configuration, wire feeding means for feedingthe wire to said winding means and including at least one frusto-conicalfeed roll, means for holding the wire in frictional engagement with theconical surface of said feed roll, and means for guiding the wire indirection transverse to the axis of said feed roll and for shifting theportion of the Wire engaging the feed roll in axial direction towardsthe larger diameter of the feed roll when the tension on the portion ofthe wire leavreciprocating ing the roll increases and for shifting theengaged wire portion in oppositedirection when the tension on the wireleaving the roll decreases, said wire guiding and shifting meansincluding a lever extending in a'direction transverse to the axis ofsaid feed roll and being mounted intermediate the ends thereof tiltableabout an axis, said lever having at opposite ends thereof engagingportions through which said wire is guided, one of the ends of saidlever being located between said feed rolls and said winding means andthe other end of said lever extending beyond the side of the feed rolldistant from said winding means, and means tending to shift the otherend of said lever in a direction toward the small diameter end of saidfeed roll, a forming disc mounted on said support turnable about an axissubstantially parallel to the axis of said forming wheel and having aperipheral portion projecting into said groove for pressing the portionsof the wire extending across the space between the rows of teeth intosaid groove to form said portions respectively into U-shaped profilesextending in substantial radial direction of said forming wheel, anddrive means for turning said forming wheel and said forming discrespectively in opposite directions and for reciprocating said windingmeans.

16. A machine for making connected closure elements for slide fastenersfrom a deformable continuous wire comprising, in combination, a support,a forming wheel mounted on said support turnable about an axis andhaving at the periphery thereof two rows of radially projecting teeth,said rows of teeth being spaced from each other in axial direction andsaid forming wheel being formed between said rows of teeth with anannular groove, the teeth in each row of teeth being equally spaced fromeach other in circumferential direction and offset in this directionrelative to the teeth in the other row, winding means mounted on saidsupport adjacent the periphery of said forming wheel for reciprocationin direction of the axis of said forming wheel for winding the wirecontinuously from the outer face of one tooth in one of said rows ofteeth, across the space between the rows of teeth and around the outerface of the following tooth in the other row of teeth and back againacross said space around the outer face of the next tooth to bend thewire into a meander-shaped configuration, a forming disc mounted on saidsupport turnable about an axis substantially parallel to the axis ofsaid forming wheel and having a peripheral portion projecting into saidgroove for pressing the portions of the wire extending across the spacebetween the rows of teeth into said groove to form said portionsrespectively into U-shaped profiles extending in substantial radialdirection of said forming wheel, and drive means for intermittentlyturning said forming wheel so that the periphery thereof is turnedduring each intermittent motion through a distance substantially equalhalf of the center distance of two consecutive teeth in one of said rowsof teeth, for continuously turning said forming disc in a directionopposite to the direction of rotation of the forming wheel and forreciprocating said winding means in timed relation to said intermittentrotation of said forming wheel.

17. A machine for making connected closure elements for slide fastenersfrom a deformable continuous wire comprising, in combination, a support,a forming wheel mounted on said support turnable about an axis andhaving at the periphery thereof two rows of radially projecting teeth,said rows of teeth being spaced from each other in axial direction andsaid forming wheel being formed between said rows of teeth with anannular groove,

the teeth in each row of teeth being equally spaced from each other incircumferential direction and offset lIl this direction relative to theteeth in the other row, winding means mounted on said support adjacentthe periphery of said forming wheel for reciprocation in direction ofthe axis of said forming wheel for winding the wire continuously fromthe outer face of one tooth in one of said rows of teeth, across thespace between the rows of teeth and around the outer face of thefollowing tooth in the other row of teeth and back again across saidspace around the outer face of the next tooth to bend the wire into ameander-shaped configuration, a forming disc mounted on said supportturnable about an axis substantially parallel to the axis of saidforming wheel and having a peripheral portion projecting into said grovefor pressing the portions of the wire extending across the space betweenthe rows of teeth into said groove to form said portions respectivelyinto U-shaped profiles extending in substantail radial directon of saidforming wheel, and drive means for intermittently turning said formingwheel so that periphery thereof is turned during each intermittentmotion through a distance substantially equal half of the centerdistance of two consecutive teeth in one of said rows of teeth, forcontinuously turning said forming disc in a direction opposite to thedirection of rotation of the forming wheel and for reciprocating saidwinding means in timed relation to said intermittent rotation of saidforming wheel, said drive means including a ratchet wheel coaxial withsaid forming wheel and connected thereto for simultaneous rotation, theteeth of said ratchet wheel having a pitch substantially equal to thepitch of the teeth of one row of teeth of the forming wheel, saiddriving means including further a pair of feed dogs engaging said teethof said ratchet wheel, and cam means for intermittently andalternatively reciprocating said dogs for turning said ratchet wheel forhalf a pitch during reciprocating of each dog.

18. A machine for making connected closure elements for slide fastenersfrom a deformable continuous wire comprising, in combination, a support,a forming wheel mounted on said support turnable about an axis andhaving at the periphery thereof two rows of radially projecting teeth,said rows of teeth being spaced from each other in axial direction andsaid forming wheel being formed between said rows of teeth with anannular groove, the teeth in each row of teeth being equally spaced fromeach other in circumferential direction and offset in this directionrelative to the teeth in the other row, winding means mounted on saidsupport adjacent the periphery of said forming wheel for reciprocationin direction of the axis of said forming wheel for winding the wirecontinuously from the outer face of one tooth in one of said rows ofteeth, across the space between the rows of teeth and around the outerface of the following tooth in the other row of teeth and back againacross said space around the outer face of the next tooth to bend thewire into a meander-shaped configuration, a forming disc mounted on saidsupport turnable about an axis substantially parallel to the axis ofsaid forming wheel and having a peripheral portion projecting into saidgroove for pressing the portions of the wire extending across the spacebetween the rows of teeth into said groove to form said portionsrespectively into U-shaped profiles extending in substantial radialdirection of said forming wheel, drive means for intermittently turningsaid forming wheel so that the periphery thereof is turned during eachintermittent motion through a distance substantially equal half of thecenter distance of two consecutive teeth in one of said rows of teeth,for continuously turning said forming disc in a direction opposite tothe direction of rotation of the forming wheel and for reciprocatingsaid winding means in timed relation to said intermittent rotation ofsaid forming wheel, and brake means for braking the movement of saidforming wheel during the intermittent motion thereof.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS500,383 Gendron June 27, 1893 1,615,666 Wright Ian. 25, 1927 2,047,717Van Dresser et a1 July 14, 1936 2,317,530 Holmes et a1 Apr. 27, 19432,591,943 Kitselman Apr. 8, 1952 2,849,031 Blumensaadt Aug. 26, 19582,874,731 Smith Feb. 24, 1959 2,903,475 Hansen Sept. 15, 1959 2,998,032Platt Aug. 29, 1961

1. A MACHINE FOR MAKING CONNECTED CLOSURE ELEMENTS OF SLIDE FASTENERSFROM A DEFORMABLE CONTINUOUS WIRE COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION, A SUPPORT,A FORMING WHEEL MOUNTED ON SAID SUPPORT TURNABLE ABOUT AN AXIS ANDHAVING AT THE PERIPHERY THEREOF TWO ROWS OF RADIALLY PROJECTING TEETH,SAID ROWS OF TEETH BEING SPACED FROM EACH OTHER IN AXIAL DIRECTION ANDSAID FORMING WHEEL BEING RECESSED RADIALLY AT THE PERIPHERY TO FORM ANANNULAR GROOVE, SAID GROOVE BEING POSITIONED BETWEEN SAID ROWS OF TEETHAND EXTENDING AROUND THE CIRCUMFERENCE OF SAID FORMING WHEEL, WINDINGMEANS FOR WINDING THE WIRE CONTINUOUSLY FROM THE OUTER FACE OF ONE TOOTHIN ONE OF SAID ROWS OF TEETH, ACROSS THE SPACE BETWEEN THE ROWS OF TEETHAND AROUND THE OUTER FACE OF THE FOLLOWING TOOTH IN THE OTHER ROW OFTEETH AND BACK AGAIN ACROSS SAID SPACE AROUND THE OUTER FACE OF THE NEXTTOOTH TO BEND THE WIRE INTO A MEANDER-SHAPE CONFIGURATION, AND MEANSEXTENDING INTO SAID GROOVE FOR FORCING THE PORTIONS OF THE WIREEXTENDING ACROSS THE SPACE BETWEEN THE ROWS OF TEETH INTO SAID GROOVE SOAS TO DEFORM THE SAME WHEREBY SAID PORTIONS ARE FORMED RESPECTIVELY INTOU-SHAPED PROFILES EXTENDING IN SUBSTANTIAL RADIAL DIRECTION OF SAIDFORMING WHEEL.